Sorting out my mind, preparing to set fluid goals. The problem with goals is that they are something to reach for, race, sprint, walk, or slog toward. They can and must change. Therefore, these are fluid, changeable goals. Some of them are scarcely more than hopes.

Goal 1: Take stock of my current situation and set my daily activities to fit circumstances. For example, squatting or tree climbing are off the menu, and so is fine sewing. However, I can still type, knit, crochet, write in long hand, and appreciate growing things.

Goal 2: Get out of debt. For a minute or two I thought I was on my way, then I got an email from my student loan provider. “Out of debt” might be a pipe dream. But one thing is for sure, its not going to happen by wishing.

Goal 3: Undertake regular work activities that will support my pets, my family, pay my monthly bills, and provide enought to make payments on debt while allowing me to eat and have a few amusements.

Goal 4: Budget time for my own projects which include completing three or four manuscripts and send them out into the world for others to read, while keeping up with paid work that will provide money to support Goal #3.

Goal 5: Get serious about maintaining a trim, productive homestead. I know how to do this, I’ve just been playing cartoon ostrich and pretending that aging is an excuse for giving up. It isn’t. It can’t be. I have too many things to do still.

A fluid January goal will be to break each of these things down into manageable daily activities that will move me toward goal completion or progress. These things include:

• Daily Journaling (Goal 1)
• List all debts and monthly bills, create a visual chart so I can see changes. Budget expenditures to fit income, increase income to cover expenses. (Goal 2)
• List activities, including deadlines, and make a sensible time budget/schedule to get stuff done but allow time to play games, listen to books, and read books. (Goals 3, 4 and 5)

All of that seems simple enough. Now, to begin applying these ideas.